Devices, systems and methods for firearms training, simulation and operations

Abstract

Methods and apparatus for providing firearms training without using traditional firearms. Replicas of firearms have control systems in communication with magazines inserted into the replicas to control the number of rounds that can be fired for each magazine. The control systems can also monitor, record and communicate data relating to all use of the replica to centralized control units. Additionally, the control systems can include location sensors to monitor the location of the replicas and only authorize firing of the replicas in approved locations.

What is claimed is: 
     
       1. A firearm replica comprising:
 a control processing unit in the replica; 
 a magazine designed to be received by the replica; 
 a magazine processing unit in the magazine; 
 communications systems providing communication between the processing unit in the magazine and the control processing unit in the replica when the magazine is inserted into the replica; and 
 a recoil device comprising a recoil piston, recoil cylinder body, and a recoil anvil; and 
 an actuator solenoid; and 
 wherein:
 the replica is adapted to utilize compressed gas to fire projectiles; 
 the recoil piston travels under pressure of compressed gas to strike the recoil anvil; and 
 the recoil device is coupled to the actuator solenoid via a flexible substrate. 
 
 
     
     
       2. The firearm replica of  claim 1  wherein:
 the control processing unit is provisioned to receive data from the magazine processing unit in a magazine inserted into the replica and adjust firing operations of the replica in response to the data received from the magazine processing unit in the magazine. 
 
     
     
       3. The firearm replica of  claim 2  wherein the firing operations adjusted includes a firing rate of the replica. 
     
     
       4. The firearm replica of  claim 2  wherein the firing operations adjusted includes the number of times the replica is authorized to be fired while the magazine is in the replica. 
     
     
       5. The firearm replica of  claim 2  wherein the data received includes an identity of an authorized operator for the replica. 
     
     
       6. The firearm replica of  claim 1 , wherein:
 the replica is adapted to utilize: 
 a first compressed gas from a first reservoir to fire projectiles; and a second compressed gas from a second reservoir to cause the recoil piston to strike the recoil anvil. 
 
     
     
       7. The firearm replica of  claim 1 , wherein the compressed gas comprises nitrogen. 
     
     
       8. The firearm replica of  claim 1 ,
 wherein the compressed gas comprises compressed air. 
 
     
     
       9. The firearm replica of  claim 1 , further comprising a reservoir to store the compressed gas. 
     
     
       10. The firearm replica of  claim 9 , wherein the reservoir is tethered to the firearm replica. 
     
     
       11. The firearm replica of  claim 1 ; further comprising
 a feed fire solenoid. 
 
     
     
       12. The firearm replica of  claim 11 , wherein the control processing unit is configured to fire the feed fire solenoid a short time before firing the actuator solenoid.